**Sports and Politics: A Thorny Issue**
The World Fencing Championship, held in Tbilisi from July 22 to 30, has turned into a contentious event due to the inclusion of Russian fencers. The International Fencing Federation (FIE) allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as “neutral athletes” after submitting a sworn declaration of neutrality.
**Russian Athletes with Military Ranks**
Among the participating Russian fencers are Major Sofya Velikaya, Lieutenant Yana Egorian, and Warrant Officer Olga Nikitina. These athletes have been involved in state-sponsored sports programs and have received honors from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The presence of these athletes has sparked international outrage, with over 400 international fencers calling on the FIE to reverse its decision. The Ukrainian sabre fencer and five-time Olympic gold medalist, Olga Kharlan, opted out of the competition due to Velikaya’s participation.
**Separating Sports from Politics**
The Georgian sports officials are trying to downplay the concerns surrounding the Russian athletes’ presence in the championship. The president of the Georgian Fencing Federation, Meab Bazadze, emphasized that the decision was made by the FIE and urged to separate sports from politics.
“We should separate sports from politics,” Bazadze said. “These athletes are successful sportsmen, and I’ve never seen them holding a gun.”
However, this stance has been met with skepticism by many, including some Georgians who feel that allowing Russian athletes with military ranks to participate in the championship is not only insensitive but also undermines the country’s values.
**A Delicate Situation**
The World Fencing Championship has become a symbol of the complex relationship between sports and politics. The decision by the FIE to allow Russian and Belarusian fencers to compete as neutral athletes has raised eyebrows, especially given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and other parts of the world.
As the competition continues, it will be interesting to see how the international community reacts to this delicate situation.
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